I’ve recently returned from maternity leave to my role at Children’s Heart Surgery Fund, a charity I felt I was destined to work for after losing my Dad to a heart attack in 2017.
When I started fundraising for the charity I thought if I could help them it would be a legacy from my Dad to future generations.
“I didn’t think it would be possible for my passion for this cause to grow anymore, but now I have two young sons and my first time back on the ward meeting mums and dads of our heart warriors left me feeling emotional and even more driven to raise income for this incredible Yorkshire charity.”
“On Monday, four days back into my role, I shadowed one of our Family Support Workers, Sarah, as she walked around the wards like an angel bringing hope and support to mums and dads sitting quietly at the bedside of their baby or young child.”
“My own son has had numerous hospital admissions due to undiagnosed allergies, which has been challenging for me as a mother in so many ways. And while I know my son’s allergies are incomparable to heart conditions, my experiences of being in hospital with him doing fluid challenges because he was as risk of dehydration has given me a new level of empathy for any parent facing unknowns with their child’s health.”
Georgie has just returned to the Corporate team after maternity leave
“Sarah and Shelly, our Family Support Workers, ensure parents of our young heart warriors have access to all the emotional, practical and financial support they need during what can be a very stressful time.”
“During the time I was with Sarah in two short hours, she was a shoulder to cry on for a mum whose son has been on the ward for three months, she brought a smile to another mum’s face by offering her accommodation so she didn’t have to keep travelling the two hour journey from Grimsby to be with her 5 month old baby.”
“And she helped a dad who was struggling with a place to park when he arrives at the hospital after work. Due to his exceptional circumstance Sarah offered him a free parking place. I could see the release of stress from his face knowing that his parking battles were over and tomorrow night he would have more time by his baby’s bedside. Sarah was providing so much more than just a parking permit.”
“Sarah and Shelly have already supported 73 families in the first two months of 2023 and Children’s Heart Surgery Fund have identified a need for developing our Family Support team, which would enable us to expand our services.”
“These may include support for families as soon as a baby is diagnosed with a heart condition at their 20 week scan and care in the community when a child returns home after heart surgery.”
CHSF want to ensure more families receive the charity’s support
“I ended my day with Sarah feeling incredibly proud to be fundraising for such a worthwhile Yorkshire charity and even more inspired to raise funds through my Corporate Partnerships role.”
“As you may know, we also provide funds for life-saving medical equipment, ward facilities and clinical staffing throughout the region – helping to bridge the shortfall in NHS provision thanks to our corporate and community supporters.”
“If you or your business would be interested to work together to help make our visions a reality I would love to hear from you at georgie.abbott@chsf.org.uk.”
Georgie Abbott
Corporate Partnerships Manager
georgie.abbott@chsf.org.uk
Recruiting Corporate Partners across Yorkshire, North East Lincolnshire and The Humber who want to help improve the lives of children born with congenital heart defects.
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